Today Mike Hess shares his Resurrection story.
Mike Hess is a small group leader, and also serves at Alpha and with the Journey 101 courses. He has been a part of The Church of the Resurrection community for 7 years.
My whole life, I needed to be in control, thus ensuring an expected outcome. This served me well in student government positions, high school and college athletics, as a military officer, in the corporate world and as a business owner. I grew up in a Christian home with both parents and a twin sister and always considered myself a Christian. I even prayed—normally when I needed something.
My father passed away 20 years ago. Then, unexpectedly, my sister passed away eight years ago from cancer. I flew to Seattle often during the five months from her diagnosis until her death. On one of my last visits she told me three things she said I needed to know. First was that she loved me. Second was that I would be the one responsible for my mother (later I would discover the full ramifications of this). Last, she wanted me to find out what God’s plan was for me. My life had been spared numerous times during three combat tours in Southeast Asia, and she said that it was for a reason.
From that point forward I began to ponder this. I began to attend services at Resurrection hoping to find an answer, but nothing happened. I was a Sunday Christian only. I was teaching a college course in ethics and morality, and one day a student asked me the difference between a Christian and a moralist. Then it hit me—I wasn’t a Christian. I was a moralist. I had not given my life to Christ. I had not given up controlling my life, even though recent outcomes were not favorable (my marriage had failed).
One beautiful, hot summer morning I entered the Church and sat in my usual seat. As I cleared my mind, I was emotionally overcome and began to cry. I couldn’t stop, and felt embarrassed as people began to enter. I left, went to my car, rolled down the window, put my head on the steering wheel and cried some more. Then I heard a distinct and clear voice say to me, “Go back in, and I will walk with you.” When I looked up, no one was there. I dried my eyes and went back. Entering the sanctuary, I passed the same greeter I had walked by when I left. She smiled at me and said, “Welcome back.” I don’t remember any of the service, but I spoke to God, accepted Christ into my life and felt the unbelievable presence of the Holy Spirit.
Looking back I believe God had sent the Holy Spirit even though I had not invited him. This was a classic triple team, and it worked. My life has not been the same since giving up control to God. Since that summer morning, I have experienced numerous blessings. I met my wife at Resurrection, and I’ve had the privilege of leading others to Christ as an Alpha leader.
Return to today’s GPS to read the daily scripture and reflections questions.
